Air-gap slide switch

ABSTRACT

An improved air-gap slide switch is provided. The air-gap slide switch comprises a slide switch assembly having a slide body and a slide contact removably attached to the slide body for providing electrical conductivity between two printed circuit board contacts when the slide body is in a closed position. No conductivity is provided between the PCB contacts when the slide body is in an open position. The slide body also comprises a longitudinally extending channel wherein a compression spring may be mounted. The compression spring provides a biasing force between the slide body and the slide contact. The slide contact includes two contact arms that retain the slide contact within two contact arm channels located on the slide body. By slidably retaining the contact arms in the contact arm channels, the slide contact is provided a degree of longitudinal motion with respect to the spring channel and the compression spring. As the slide body is moved laterally back and forth from an open to a closed position, a near compressive force is maintained between the slide contact and the PCB contacts.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/173,741, filed Dec. 30, 1999, which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention generally relates to the field of electricalswitches and, more particularly, to the field of air-gap slide switches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Dimmer switches are commonly used in home and other lightingsituations to provide a highly customized lighting environment. Forinstance, a dimmer switch may be utilized to vary the output of alighting fixture from a completely off state to a maximum brightnessstate and virtually any level in between. However, some switches maypermit current to be delivered to the contacts of an attached load evenwhen the load appears to be in a completely off state. This is a seriousdrawback that makes these types of dimmer switches potentially dangerousfor a user. A user of such a switch may turn the dimmer switch to itsminimum setting in order to change a bulb or perform other work on thesocket. Not realizing that the dimmer switch has not completelyeliminated voltage at the socket, the user may begin to perform theirwork and be shocked.

[0004] Therefore, in light of the above problems, there is a need for anair-gap slide switch that can be utilized in connection with a dimmerswitch to completely insulate a user from the possibility of electricalshock.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention solves the above problems by providing animproved air-gap slide switch. The air-gap slide switch provided hereincomprises a slide switch assembly having a slide body and a slidecontact removably attached to the slide body for providing electricalconductivity between two printed circuit board contacts when the slidebody is in a closed position. No conductivity is provided between thePCB contacts when the slide body is in an open position.

[0006] The slide body also comprises a longitudinally extending channelwherein a compression spring may be mounted. The compression springprovides a biasing force between the slide body and the slide contact.Additionally, the slide contact includes two contact arms that retainthe slide contact within two contact arm channels located on the slidebody. By slidably retaining the contact arms in the contact armchannels, the slide contact is provided a degree of longitudinal motionwith respect to the spring channel and the compression spring. Moreover,as the slide body is moved laterally back and forth from an open to aclosed position, a near compressive force is maintained between theslide contact and the PCB contacts.

[0007] The present invention also provides an electrical system in whichthe switch assembly is utilized in conjunction with another switch, suchas a dimmer switch. In the configuration provided herein, the switchassembly may be utilized to ensure that a voltage differential does notexist at the contacts to an electrical load, thereby preventing thepossibility of electrical shock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages ofthis invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomesbetter understood by reference to the following detailed description,when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a perspective view of an air-gapswitch provided according to an actual embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross-section of an air-gap switchprovided according to an actual embodiment of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an installation of an air-gap switchprovided according to an actual embodiment of the present invention in aclosed position.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an installation of an air-gap switchprovided according to an actual embodiment of the present invention inan open position.

[0013]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an exploded view of an air-gap switchprovided according to an actual embodiment of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing an application of an air-gapswitch provided according to an actual embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention is directed to an improved air-gap switch.Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals represent likeelements, an actual embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed.

[0016] Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an air-gap switchprovided according to an actual embodiment of the present invention willbe described. The air gap switch provided by the present inventioncomprises a slide switch assembly 1. The slide switch assembly 1comprises a slide body 2. According to the actual embodiment of thepresent invention described herein, the slide body 2 is manufacturedfrom a plastic material. However, those skilled in the art shouldappreciate that the slide body 2 may be made from any similarnon-conductive material.

[0017] The slide switch assembly 1 also comprises a slide contact 8 forproviding electrical conductivity between printed circuit board (“PCB”)contacts 10A and 10B when the slide body 2 is in a closed position. Toprovide such conductivity, the slide contact 8 should be made from aconductive material, such as copper. No conductivity is provided betweenPCB contacts 10A and 10B when the slide body is in an open position.

[0018] The PCB contacts 10A and 10B are mounted on a printed circuitboard according to an actual embodiment of the present invention. ThePCB contacts 10A and 10B are also manufactured from a suitablyconductive material. According to one embodiment of the presentinvention, the PCB contacts 10A and 10B are the same width as the slidecontact 8.

[0019] The slide body 2 also comprises upper slide extensions 4A and 4Band lower slide extensions 6A and 6B. As will be described in greaterdetail below with respect to FIG. 3, the upper slide extensions 4A and4B, and the lower slide extensions 6A and 6B, operably retain the slidebody 2 to a mount plate.

[0020] Turning now to FIG. 2, a cross-section of an air-gap switchprovided according to an actual embodiment of the present invention willbe described. The slide body 2 further comprises a longitudinallyextending channel 14 therethrough. A compression spring 16 is mountedwithin the channel 14. According to the actual embodiment of the presentinvention described herein, the channel 14 is cylindrical. However,those skilled in the art should appreciate that the bore of the channel14 may take any shape so long as the channel 14 is capable of removablyretaining the compression spring 16.

[0021] The compression spring 16 provides a biasing force between theslide body 2 and the slide contact 8. The slide contact 8 comprises twocontact arms 20A and 20B that retain the slide contact 8 within thecontact arm channels 26A and 26B (shown in FIG. 3) of the slide body 2.By slidably retaining the contact arms 20A and 20B in the contact armchannels 26A and 26B, the slide contact 8 is provided a degree oflongitudinal motion with respect to the channel 14 and the compressionspring 16.

[0022] As the slide body 2 is moved laterally back and forth from anopen to a closed position, a near compressive force is maintainedbetween the slide contact 8 and the PCB contacts 10A and 10B. This forceis determined by the load value for the compression spring 16 and thevertical distance between the slide body 2 and the PCB contacts 10A and10B. According to the actual embodiment of the present inventiondescribed herein, this vertical distance is such that the slide contactarms 20A and 20B touch neither a top or bottom portion of the contactarm channels 26A and 26B, respectively.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 3, an installation view of an air-gapswitch provided in an actual embodiment of the present invention in aclosed position will be described. The slide body 2 may be removablymounted within a mount plate 24. The mount plate 24 has an aperture forreceiving the slide body 2. The aperture is constructed so that theslide body 2 may move only between an open and closed position. Theassembly also includes a button capture plate 22 having a slot forreceiving an end portion of the slide body 2. According to theembodiment of the present invention described herein, the end portion ofthe slide body 2 is flush with a top portion of the button capture plate22. The upper slide extensions 4A and 4B insulate the slide body 2 fromthe mount plate 24. The lower slide extensions 6A and 6B furtherinsulate the slide body 2 from the mount plate 24 and prevent thecompression spring 16 from pressing the slide body 2 against the buttoncapture plate 22.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3 the slide contact 8 provides electricalconductivity between the PCB contacts 10A and 10B when the slide body 2is in a closed position. As shown in FIG. 4, when the slide body 2 is inan open position, the slide contact 8 does not provide electricalconductivity between the PCB contacts 10A and 10B. The PCB contacts 10Aand 10B are mounted on a printed circuit board 12. According to theactual embodiment of the invention described herein, the printed circuitboard 12 and the button capture plate 22 are removably attached to themount plate 24.

[0025] Referring now FIG. 5, an exploded view of an air-gap switchprovided according to an actual embodiment of the present invention willbe described. As shown in FIG. 5, the complete slide switch assembly 1is formed by inserting the compression spring 16 into the spring channel14 of the slide body 2. The slide contact 8 is then mounted to the slidebody 2 by inserting the contact arms 20A and 20B into the contact armchannels 26A and 26B, thereby compressing the compression spring 16. Theslide body 2, compression spring 16, and slide contact 8 are theninserted through the aperture in the mount plate 24. The printed circuitboard 12 is removably attached to the metal mount plate 24. The buttoncapture plate 22 is also removably attached to the metal mount plate 24.When the slide switch assembly 1 is completely assembled, the slide body2 may be operably moved between an open and closed position in theaperture of the mount plate 24. In the closed position, the slidecontact 8 provides electrical conductivity between the PCB contacts 10Aand 10B. In the open no electrical conductivity is provided between thePCB contacts 10A and 10B.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 6, a circuit diagram showing an applicationof an air-gap switch provided according to an actual embodiment of thepresent invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the switchassembly 1 may be interposed between a voltage source 10A and anelectrical load 32. In this manner, the switch assembly 1 may beutilized to prevent a potential difference at the electrical load 32when the slide body 2 is in an open position. Likewise, the switchassembly 1 may be utilized to provide continuity between the voltagesource 10A and the electrical load 32 when the slide body 2 is in aclosed position.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the switchassembly 1 may be used in conjunction with a second switch 28. Thesecond switch 28 may comprise a dimmer switch or other type of switchthat gradually varies current to the electrical load 32. In this manner,the switch assembly 1 may be utilized to ensure that no potentialdifference exists at the inputs to the electrical load 32.

[0028] In light of the above, it should be appreciated by those skilledin the art that the present invention provides an improved air-gapswitch. While an actual embodiment of the invention has been illustratedand described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. An air-gap slide switch,comprising: a slide body having a longitudinally extending channeltherethrough; a slide contact slidably retained by said slide body; aspring mounted within said channel providing a biasing force betweensaid slide body and said slide contact; and two contacts, and whereinsaid slide contact provides electrical conductivity between said twocontacts when said slide body is in a closed position.
 2. The air-gapslide switch of claim 1 , wherein said slide contact does not provideelectrical conductivity between said two contacts when said slide bodyis in an open position.
 3. The air-gap slide switch of claim 2 , whereinsaid channel is cylindrical.
 4. The air-gap slide switch of claim 3 ,wherein said spring comprises a cylindrical compression spring.
 5. Theair-gap slide switch of claim 4 , wherein said slide contact comprises acontact surface and two contact arms, and wherein said slide bodyfurther comprises two contact arm channels disposed at opposite sides ofsaid slide body.
 6. The air-gap slide switch of claim 5 , wherein eachone of said contact arms is slidably retained by one of said contact armchannels.
 7. The air-gap slide switch of claim 6 , further comprising: amount plate having an aperture for receiving a portion of said slidebody.
 8. The air-gap slide switch of claim 7 , wherein said aperturepermits said slide body to move only within said open position and saidclosed position.
 9. The air-gap slide switch of claim 8 , wherein saidslide body further comprises an upper slide extension and a lower slideextension.
 10. The air-gap slide switch of claim 9 , wherein said mountplate is disposed between said upper slide extension and said lowerslide extension.
 11. The air-gap slide switch of claim 10 , furthercomprising: a button capture plate removably attached to said mountplate and having a slot for receiving an end portion of said slide body.12. The air-gap slide switch of claim 11 , wherein said slot permitssaid slide body to move only within said open position and said closedposition.
 13. The air-gap slide switch of claim 12 , wherein said endportion of said slide body is flush with a top portion of said captureplate.
 14. The air-gap slide switch of claim 13 , wherein said twocontacts are mounted on a printed circuit board.
 15. The air-gap slideswitch of claim 14 , wherein said printed circuit board is operablycoupled to said mount plate.
 16. The air-gap slide switch of claim 15 ,wherein said two contacts are the same width as said slide contact. 17.An air-gap slide switch comprising: a slide body having a longitudinallyextending cylindrical channel therethrough and two contact arm channelsdisposed at opposite sides of said slide body; a slide contactcomprising a contact surface and two contact arms, each one of saidcontact arms slidably retained by one of said contact arm channels; acylindrical compression spring mounted within said channel providing abiasing force between said slide body and said slide contact; and aprinted circuit board comprising two contacts; and wherein said contactsurface provides electrical conductivity between said two contacts whensaid slide body is in a closed position.
 18. The air-gap switch of claim17 , wherein said contact surface does not provide electricalconductivity between said two contacts when said slide body is in anopen position.
 19. The air-gap switch of claim 18 , further comprising:a mount plate having an aperture for receiving a portion of said slidebody.
 20. The air-gap slide switch of claim 19 , wherein said aperturepermits said slide body to move only within said open position and saidclosed position.
 21. The air-gap slide switch of claim 20 , wherein saidslide body further comprises an upper slide extension and a lower slideextension.
 22. The air-gap slide switch of claim 21 , wherein said mountplate is disposed between said upper slide extension and said lowerslide extension.
 23. The air-gap slide switch of claim 22 , furthercomprising: a button capture plate removably attached to said mountplate and having a slot for receiving an end portion of said slide body.24. The air-gap slide switch of claim 23 , wherein said slot permitssaid slide body to move only within said open position and said closedposition.
 25. The air-gap slide switch of claim 24 , wherein said endportion of said slide body is flush with a top portion of said captureplate.